Angel Flight West is a regional wing of the national charity involving 13 Western states. Within the region, there are 1,900 pilot volunteers who together fly thousands of missions each year, primarily for people who need to reach a medical appointment far from home — often for cancer treatment. The pilots, most of whom fly their own planes, donate their time and equipment and pay for fuel.

Bend resident Rob Breitbarth, the Central Oregon area leader for Angel Flight, became involved when he answered an ad calling for volunteers in Portland in 1998. He was one of 10 pilots to do so. Together the pilots formed the Oregon wing of Angel Flight. Once he got started, he couldn’t stop. “It’s really addictive, helping people,” said Breitbarth.